Zzubus was a busy man tonight at the Edge Tavern. A large universe fusion, an old god awakening, and even a psychic implosion had reportedly taken the lives of millions over the last hour or so, so the red-skinned demon cleaned the bar tables quickly in anticipation for the flood of patrons. His grizzled tone resounded throughout the tavern as imps and underlings hopped off their lazy bums to help their master. The special had to be changed on the menus, glasses had to be cleaned, ale barrels had to be refilled, the list went on. Leaning on the bar-top and cleaning an ornamental drinking horn with a white rag, Zzubus really only took his eyes off of work when he heard a certain emerald dragon's footsteps.
Czurem came through the door as she always did: inquisitive of what was new and going on in the afterlife's tavern. "We have a big crowd tonight, Czurem. You can stay, of course, just don't be mad if you're pushed and shoved", the archdemon greeted and warned the teen dragon. Zzubus pulled her up a chair and poured her some wine into the drinking horn, on the house of course. Though the girl's father would never agree, the tavern demon saw no problem with giving minors alcohol. After chatting with Czurem for a little-bit more, the demon felt it was time to get back to work as always. He checked under the counter to see if the imps had brought in the stash of tonight's 'Zzubus's Famous' special like he had asked.
three icecream wrappers and an imp (@Cherrywitch) tumbled out of the cooler, the green haired bastard almost smashing his nose against demon's gigantic, carapace-like leg. Indeed, the product had been delivered, but so did this nuisance. Picking the thief-boy off the ground 6 feet to meet him face-to-face, the only intimidating words Zzubus uttered were "That'll be 90, please". The carriages were now arriving, and already his inventory was being stolen. The archdemon really didn't have time for this.

The Taverns giant cat that visits regularly perched itself on one of the branches coming through the roof, "Guests? You dont normally clean off so many tables~" he says in his deep, ancient, and enthralling voice that almost no one could ignore. "What major cataclysmic event has happened now, I wonder? Dont tell me~ I want to listen to the stories~" The gigantic Black Jaguar pawed across the branches that looked down over the tables, He had heard the carriages coming. They would be here soon.

Rebecca stepped out of the carriage, looking at the tavern. She'd been here often before; every necromancer with enough power tried to open a door to the afterlife, see what it was like for themselves. Like most, she had been surprised when she saw the truth, but she'd come back several times.

"Hello there, Zzubus. I'm back, but it seems this will be a more permanent visit. Kind of embarrassing for someone like me, to be perfectly honest."

David followed Rebecca out of the carriage, then just stood there and observed the tavern. "Hmmm. What a curious place." He commented half-mindedly before getting inside. For some reason the knowledge of his own death didn't seem to bother him a bit.

The spacious tavern with its well-polished tables is a sight to behold in its own right, but the large jaguar understandably proved much more attractive to David. It sure looked deadly to him, but he remained quite relaxed, confident in his command of gravity. That is, until he (finally) noticed the menacing demon. A mere glance aroused instinctive fear in David, prompting him to step back and set up a strong repelling gravitational field.

The field didn't last long, though. David saw the woman talking to the demon, presumably named Zzubus, in a friendly and even casual manner and decided it might be best to stay calm. He would go and speak to Zzubus once they've done talking.

Czurem looked over the busy tavern with glee. Lots more people to talk to! Maybe there was a disaster on one of the worlds? How exciting! She happily took the seat offered by the lovely Zzubus, and the wine was enjoyed. (@Gutshot) "Oh don't worry! I'll make sure nobody steps on my tail and I'll keep my wings close to me" she stretched, her wings smaller in human form compared to her full Dragon form that Zzubus had (perhaps luckily) not seen yet. She enjoyed the conversations with the man, thinking he was such an interesting and amazing demon...she had such a crush on him, but he always seemed so busy. Even now, beating up those tiny Imp things. She sighed watching him, but peered over when a few new arrivals walked in.

Sniffing the air, she giggled to herself.

"Yep, new deads" she said as she hopped over her seat, walking over to them. She did indeed wrap her tail around herself, smiling and sipping her wine. She knew not to have too many of these, demon wine always went to her head and she couldn't leave here drunk. Her father would seriously flame her for it.

"Hello! Are you new?" she said to the first one she came across, a man (@LChris314) of some sort from that planet..what was it called again? Soil? Rocks? Oh, Earth!

The voice of a teenage girl (@medalliah) startled David a bit. "Hello! Are you new?" She sounded quite curious to him.

"Ah yes I am. Are you, uh, also freshly dead?" David noticed a pair of... wings? He didn't even care to ask. At least she had the look of a cute girl, not a frightening demon.

@LChris314

The girl laughed and shook her head. "I wish I had a coin for each time someone asked me that! It's almost like other worlds don't have Dragons! We don't die really. At least not easily" she smiled "I'm a frequent visitor. The closest anyone here has got to pronouncing my name correctly is Czurem, so I am Czurem daughter of Midoriryuuden the great Emerald Dragon of Fradenides. Human right? That's a handshake greeting" she offered a hand. She seemed a little less mean and scaly for a Dragon, and certainly more bubbily.

"So who are you and what's your story? I hope it's a good one!"

@medalliah

The girl, Czurem, surely made David interested. Seems like a affable dragon-girl who can be a nice friend. Her friendliness was quite comforting to David, who had been on alert the whole time.

"The name's David. I'm a human, or an individual of the species Homo sapiens. That probably doesn't mean too much to you though." David responded with a firm handshake.

"I am, or was, a mathematician. You could say I was a gifted one. In my world those with mathematical talents might also get to control magicka, the mysterious newly discovered energy. Some of my colleagues could throw fireballs, some could punch with superhuman strength. Yet to me, the art of mathematics is far more fascinating than fireball-throwing. I vowed never to stop doing maths until death, but now it seems I can go on even after death." He chuckled.

@LChris314

"I know about humans actually, even if I haven't visited your world yet. I love studying other worlds, although father disapproves. I need to work what direction your dimension is in...but I guess you wouldn't know that. Would you like a drink?" she offered with a smile, although her eyes widened at his story.

"Magical abilities? I had not seen or heard of those from your world having magicks! My kind usually kill magic users in my world, dangerous beings and always quite mad. So you cannot use magicks? Just study it?"

@medalliah

"Well let's get a seat and some drinks. I'm actually a magic user myself, but I usually don't fiddle with my ability too much." David approached a small table for four. He sensed keen curiosity from Cruzem, and was more than happy to continue the friendly chat.

@LChris314

Cruzem looked at the man warily.

"Well ok...but any magic and I'll roast you. Just because I'm in my Human form doesn't mean I can't breathe fire" she grinned, showing her sharp Dragon teeth as she followed the man.

She wrapped her wings close to her to ensure she didn't knock someone over, and sat down happily.

"So what killed you? Epic magic battle? A fight to the death?"

@medalliah

"Don't worry. I keep my magic to myself. What makes you dragon kind hostile to magic users?" The last thing David needed was a fight with a dragon-girl in this foreign world.

He took a seat next to Cruzem. "It was quite a peaceful place where I lived. Certainly no such thing as magic battles. Magic users were monitored quite closely. Too closely, if you ask me. I got hit by a heavy truck and that was it. Didn't have the time to react and save myself with magic."

@LChris314

"Magick users have attempted to overthrow Dragon rule, they have developed magicks that can actually harm us. Every Dragonlord, no matter whar region of Fradenides they rule, will unite to end a magicks threat" Czurem hissed in annoyance "thankfully none have risen since I was old enough to fly, so I have yet to face one."

She flagged someone to bring drinks over.

"Hit...by a truck? What a boring death. I suppose it's better than being killed by your own bodies cells but sheesh, I was hoping for an exciting story! Why does nobody die from multiple puncture wounds in a great fight anymore?" she sighed "oh well, not really your fault. At least you get to come here! What do you like to drink?"

@medalliah

David grabbed the menu and skimmed through it. "I'll have the Bog Ale then."

"Dragons and magic users are enemies in your world then." The mathematician said calmly with a smile, "but I'm not from your world, and I certainly don't want to be an enemy of yours."

"It's quite clear that my world is a boring one compared to yours. If not for the discovery of magicka, it would be even more boring." He shrugged. "Magic in my world seems to be an inborn ability. You said magic users in your world actively develops magic, right? That's impossible to me. We simply don't get to choose."

@LChris314

"Very much enemies" Czurem nodded in agreement "I assume you don't fight your Dragon lords then? That's a smart idea, Dragons are very warm and friendly rulers when you don't try to kill them."

She arranged for the drinks to be brought over. She didn't ask about payment, as she'd never paid for a drink here. It almost seemed like a peace offering to her.

"Born with Magicks? Huh, that's interesting. Anyone can learn magicks in my world but most shun it to avoid drawing the ire of the Dragon that rules their lands. Oh, I hope you don't mind drinking with me...I guess by your terms I would be um...younger than twenty human years?" she laughed "I can never remember how different ages for different species works."

@medalliah

"Of course I don't fight my dragon lords. There are no dragons whatsoever in my world!" He burst into laughters.

"We know almost nothing about magick. It seems a few people are born with the potential to use it; but to actually realize that potential requires strong capability in abstract thinking. That's why most magick users are scientists and mathematicians." David gave a mini lecture.

"Now it's your turn to tell me more about your world. That should be much more interesting than mine, I assume."

@LChris314

"None whatsoever? But who rules over your planet?" Czerum replied, confused "who ensures the beings all fall into place and don't rebel and fight? To educate you on the ways of Magicks?" she shook her head"it sounds like anarchy. No wonder so many Humans come here."

She sat up a little straighter as he was asked about her world.

"Fradenides is a most wonderful world, and so close to actual peace! My father holds most of the northern lands, while our neighbour keeps trying to invade. We have Human-type people also, but they serve us Dragonkind in return for our protection. We have large mountains and some forests in my families kingdom, and many big cities. Not a surprise as my father has the biggest kingdom of all Dragons." she spoke proudly of her home world

@medalliah

Czerum seemed genuinely proud of her world, which made David show a relaxed smile. "It's always good to hear someone's living in a good place." He then took a sip of his ale.

"Some people rule other people in my world, since there aren't any being smarter than humans. Well, at least that's what we think." He said with a somewhat annoyed voice.

Then a sudden realization struck him. "Actually, could you tell me more about this place? And about that... demon?" He couldn't stand being ignorant.

@LChris314

"Humans ruling Humans? No offense, but isn't your race a little too...chaotic and squishy to be leaders? Dragonkind took and hold our world thanks to our strength and our natural leadership" she shook her head sadly "when I work out what direction your dimension is I'll have to do something to help. My father can't dimension jump but I can."

She picked up her wine, happily sipping it.

"Hm? You mean Zzubus" she asked, motioning to the larger demon "this is a bar for the dead, and he rules it with much muscle...he's so amazing" she sighed